During last week’s Cornwall-on-Hudson Village Board work session, the board rescinded a local law, passed in November, to change the term limits for trustees from two to four years. The board then passed another resolution amending the same local law.

Following a discussion with the New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM), attorney Joe McKay recommended the action because the original paperwork was filed too early with the state. Although the question was always going to appear on the March ballot, the first resolution was subject to a permissive referendum which required the electorate to obtain a certain percentage of signatures petitioning for the matter to be presented to voters. Had no signatures been collected, the local law would have automatically gone into effect.

The new resolution is subject to a mandatory referendum. Should residents vote in favor of the change, the local law will be officially changed and filed with the state.

In other business from last week’s meeting, a moment of silence was held following the passing of Rudy Hahn, a former trustee for 24 years and deputy mayor for eight of those years. He also served as fire commissioner for 24 years.

In several other matters:

Settlement. The village experienced two hyper-localized storms in 2022 and 2023. Two residents on Mountain Road sued the village with respect to damage that occurred as a result of the storms. They filed the proper notice of claim which was sent to the village’s insurance carrier. The insurance company went into discovery settlement negotiations. The board spoke to counsel representing the insurance carrier and agreed to a settlement agreement/release.

Chevy Tahoe. Seeking to replace his 2017 Chevy Tahoe, which already has 80,000 miles, Department of Public Works Superintendent David Halvorsen requested permission to purchase a new vehicle and sell the old one while it still has value. He estimates the older vehicle could fetch about $20,000. That money will be used to purchase the new vehicle at a cost of about $53,000.

GIS mapping. Software to accompany previously acquired GIS mapping equipment was purchased at an annual subscription cost of $2900. The new equipment will allow for a more accurate mapping of water valves, fire hydrants, and other assets.

Lighting. Former trustee Rick Gioia addressed the board suggesting they follow the town in purchasing street light fixtures from Central Hudson.

Maintenance would be contracted out, but the move would allow the board to negotiate and lock in a rate for electricity.

Claim. A resolution was approved authorizing the expenditure of $2000 for an appraiser to represent the village concerning its claim for the damage to fire truck 412 which was involved in an accident last year.